Line Item Veto & Secondhand Smoke Laws: This Week at the State House

Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio appointed a commission to study a line item veto, legislation for online scratch tickets is introduced and more. This week at the State House.

Speaker, Senate President appoint commission to study line item veto

A special commission appointed by Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) to study the effects of enacting a line item veto had its first meeting. Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) have been elected as co-chairmen.

Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) has submitted legislation that would refine the law on guidelines for concussions at school and youth programs. The new law would require that an adult trained in recognizing the symptoms of a concussion be present during all events.

Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) has introduced legislation that would update Rhode Island’s secondhand smoke laws. The bill would provide that any law or regulation which prohibits or protects a person from exposure to secondhand smoke would also include secondhand marijuana smoke or vapor, regardless of how the smoke or vapor was generated.

Rep. Filippi introduces bills to make state, local government more transparent

Rep. Blake Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) has introduced two bills to make state and local governments more accessible. The first would require municipal governments to make audio and video recordings of open meetings. The second requires audio and video recording of any open meeting held by state and quasi-public agencies.

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) has introduced legislation that would allow social gaming in private residences, public taverns, and private clubs as long as there is a social relationship between participants and no person other than the participants receives anything of value.

Backed by environmental advocates and a newly formed regional coalition of state legislators, Sen. Jeanine Calkin (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) and Rep. Aaron Regunberg (D-Dist. 4, Providence) announced their introduction of legislation to charge fossil fuel sellers for the carbon pollution their products cause, and invest the money in the state’s clean energy and green business sector as well as rebates sent directly to energy consumers.

Recently, a proposal has been made to permit the issuance of $81 million in bonds by the State to build a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox. If there was an election today on this issue, would you vote to approve or reject issuing $81 million in financing supported moral obligation bonds to build the stadium?

The next question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).